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The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4: Adrian Mole | Sue Townsend
23 posts | 71 read | 22 to read
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3?4 is the first book in Sue Townsend's brilliantly funny Adrian Mole series. Friday January 2nd I felt rotten today. It's my mother's fault for singing 'My Way' at two o'clock in the morning at the top of the stairs. Just my luck to have a mother like her. There is a chance my parents could be alcoholics. Next year I could be in a children's home. Meet Adrian Mole, a hapless teenager providing an unabashed, pimples-and-all glimpse into adolescent life. Writing candidly about his parents' marital troubles, the dog, his life as a tortured poet and 'misunderstood intellectual', Adrian's painfully honest diary is still hilarious and compelling reading thirty years after it first appeared. Bestselling author Sue Townsend has been Britain's favourite comic writer for over three decades. 'I not only wept, I howled and hooted and had to get up and walk around the room and wipe my eyes so that I could go on reading' Tom Sharpe 'A satire of our times. Very funny indeed' Sunday Times 'We laugh both at Mole and with him. A wonderful comic read, that, like all the best comedy, says something rather meaningful' Heat Sue Townsend is Britain's favourite comic author. Her hugely successful novels include eight Adrian Mole books, The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman (Aged 553?4), Number Ten, Ghost Children, The Queen and I, Queen Camilla and The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year, all of which are highly acclaimed bestsellers. She has also written numerous well-received plays. She lives in Leicester, where she was born and grew up.The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3?4 is the first book in Sue Townsend's brilliantly funny Adrian Mole series. Friday January 2ndI felt rotten today. It's my mother's fault for singing 'My Way' at two o'clock in the morning at the top of the stairs. Just my luck to have a mother like her. There is a chance my parents could be alcoholics. Next year I could be in a children's home.Meet Adrian Mole, a hapless teenager providing an unabashed, pimples-and-all glimpse into adolescent life. Writing candidly about his parents' marital troubles, the dog, his life as a tortured poet and 'misunderstood intellectual', Adrian's painfully honest diary is still hilarious and compelling reading thirty years after it first appeared.Bestselling author Sue Townsend has been Britain's favourite comic writer for over three decades.'I not only wept, I howled and hooted and had to get up and walk around the room and wipe my eyes so that I could go on reading' Tom Sharpe'A satire of our times. Very funny indeed' Sunday Times 'We laugh both at Mole and with him. A wonderful comic read, that, like all the best comedy, says something rather meaningful' HeatSue Townsend is Britain's favourite comic author. Her hugely successful novels include eight Adrian Mole books, The Public Confessions of a Middle-Aged Woman (Aged 553?4), Number Ten, Ghost Children, The Queen and I, Queen Camilla and The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year, all of which are highly acclaimed bestsellers. She has also written numerous well-received plays. She lives in Leicester, where she was born and grew up.
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Evita
Mehso-so

3 out of 5

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andrew61
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#bookmoods #laughoutloud
This series, as I recently posted , has me laughing out loud to the annoyance of my wife who is usually sat next to me concentrating on something else. The glorious Adrian Mole gave commentary through his diaries to much of the events of English society and politics from the 80s to the 2000s and Sue Townsend was a brilliant comic writer whose sharp wit would have been appreciated in our current strange world .

TrishB Yes, I‘d appreciate her sarcy comments on current ongoing shenanigans! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 🤗 3y
CarolynM Happy memories! 3y
37 likes3 comments
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Centique
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Pickpick

A nostalgic read for me. I hadn‘t remembered how satirical this was - and how clueless Adrian is about so much of what is going on around him. Brought back so many memories of the tv show - also the stage show of this was my first proper “going to the theatre” experience (ie at night and not part of a class trip - very heady stuff 😂) when I was about 15.

batsy Oh! I need to re-read this, too! I'm sure a lot of the satire went over my head when I was younger 🙂 4y
readingjedi I was obsessed with Adrian Mole! I can still quote chunks of it verbatim. Especially his "poetry" ??? 4y
andrew61 I reread it again this year and loved it. Keep meaning to read the rest . 4y
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LeahBergen Oh, I think a reread is in order for me, too! 4y
Centique @batsy I‘ll be so interested in what you think of it now. Particularly whether she‘s too subtle about the racism (people say racist things and don‘t get called on it, but then the subjects of the racism keep showing themselves to be exemplary neighbours) I guess that‘s always a possibility with satire, readers not making the leap. 4y
Centique @readingjedi that is legendary! 👏👏👏 4y
Centique @andrew61 it was pretty delightful! My friend has recommended I read another one of Townsend‘s 4y
Centique @LeahBergen on my goodreads account you were the only one I know that had read it - 11 years ago - I wish I had been recording my reading on there for that long. There are so many books I can‘t remember reading 🤔🤔 4y
CarolynM I laughed so much when I read this, and Growing Pains too. Sue Townsend was so sharp. I still refer to certain incidents or expressions from these books. 4y
87 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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andrew61
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Thank you @EadieB for the tag and @veritysalter for organising. #LockdownLowdown
1) Manchester UK
2) i have just finished middlemarch which was great but Adrian mole was a joy in these difficult times.
3) Depends on the book but probably 300
4) I'll tag 3 recent followers again as it is fun to be tagged, there is no need to join in but it may get more friends - enjoy @Bookish.SAM @Shaleen @Book_Fiend_Melissa

EadieB @Andew61 Thanks for playing! Loved Middlemarch 5y
Shaleen Thanks for the tag😁 I did mine yesterday. Do check it out. 5y
veritysalter Adrian Mole is always a fun read. Thank you for playing 📚♥️ 5y
MsMelissa Thanks for the tag! I‘ll shall post tomorrow 😊 5y
31 likes4 comments
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Cuilin
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Day 4/7 books that had a lasting impression. I‘m sticking with books from my youth. I think I may have been about 12/13 when I read this and I‘d never know comedic writing before. I‘ve reread the diaries many times. ❤️

Join in anyone who wants to.

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GatheringBooks
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Pickpick

#MarchMadness Day 23: This secret diary with #ANumberInTitle according to Fats‘ review is: “an offbeat comedic novel that chronicles the everyday – literally, everyday – life of Adrian Mole. This book is a classic portrayal of the inner struggles of an adolescent boy.” Full and detailed review here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-eg

Eggs Nicely done ✅ 5y
44 likes1 comment
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gerry_mander
Pickpick

My daughter was reading this and i realised i had never actually read it. Its well worth a read, especially if you grew up in the 70s or 80s in working class Britain. Its laugh out loud funny, at times its sad but it paints a picture of the mundane worries of a 14 year old boy who is struggling with life. A year in the life of a not very bright intellectual!

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KarenUK
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#Castleonthehill #WanderingJune
This may sound strange, but this song makes me cry every time I play it. I crank the volume up, sing at the top of my voice, and every single time I choke up! Never has a song made me more homesick than this one. Every lyric just reminds me of home (England), being a teenager, growing up and old friends.
So today went with this classic book from the 80s. I haven‘t read it in years, but I think it kinda fits 😊💕🇬🇧

robinb I have songs that do that to me too. One is Rod Stewart‘s “Forever Young”. Every. Single. Time. 😢 6y
Cinfhen I love this post!!! I feel ya😘 6y
julesG 👏😘 6y
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BarbaraBB I can imagine. It is so English indeed! 💜 6y
BarbaraBB @robinb Great lyrics in that one too 💕 6y
robinb @BarbaraBB 👍😊💕😘🎶🎶 6y
umbrellagirl I loved the Adrian Mole books! 6y
youneverarrived Great post ♥️ 6y
LeeRHarry Totally with you - I feel lucky to be back in the UK driving those country lanes (maybe not at 90 😏) at the moment - get very nostalgic listening to this when I am back in Aus 😊 (edited) 6y
JennyM @LeeRHarry @karenuk I‘m with you ladies. How I miss those winding country lanes. Nothing quite like home xx 6y
gradcat Perfect post. I believe I understand you very well, for music does have that infectious way of driving right into your emotions...I can think of several songs that move me to tears. Some say nostalgia is just purple sentiment—I say it‘s the greatest evocation of memory there is for humans. Bravo! 👍 ♥️ 👏🏻 😚 6y
59 likes11 comments
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bpawson
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Mehso-so

I was a kid myself last time I read this book. Clearly, it's not the most stimulating read I've had, but it was a nice brain break. Quick read, and a little trip down memory lane. As a 12 year old, I can remember feeling totally aghast that Pandora allowed Adrian to touch her boob!!! 😂

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toric
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Mehso-so

I warmed to Adrian and the book progressed. I was proud of him for looking after Burt (the old man he was paired with for a school project) throughtout the book. The person I felt for the most was Adrians dad. The poor mans wife leaves him and then he loses his job while caring for a rather demanding son

You pick different sides when you re-read this as an adult

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toric
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I last read this book when I was in school and I dont remember Adrian being this annoying.

Its odd looking at the collapse of his parents marriage now as a married woman with my own child compared to when I was a child myself

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MayJasper
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Definitely a #ChildProtaganist in this funny book 😁
Thanks to @maich for the #AprilBookishMadness photo challenge

LeahBergen Love him! 😆 7y
81 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LeahBergen
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Congrats to @TK421 !

This book is one I always return to when life gets a bit sad. Adrian Mole - a spotty, horny, 1980s British boy with great literary pretensions - always makes me laugh. Give it a try and I hope things are looking up for you. ❤️

#10kgiveaway

batsy Adrian 💙 7y
youneverarrived I loved this when I was younger! 7y
LeahBergen @batsy This is another rude, unlikeable character. 🤔 7y
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LeahBergen @youneverarrived He‘s the best. 👍🏻 7y
batsy And here I am putting hearts next to his name; it appears we're in the same boat 😂😂 7y
LeahBergen @batsy I think it might be a “living vicariously” thing. These characters actually say the things we are only thinking. 😂 7y
batsy Hahaha I think so! There is a part of me that secretly cheers on Mr Palmer's "droll" pronouncements ? 7y
73 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Eggs
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Pickpick

What a great character! Quick read and often humorous 😊

Teakillamockingbird Loved this book I read it when I was 13. Ive read the whole series now. She‘s a great author 🤓 7y
kezzlou85 My brother had all the books so I borrowed them and they were so good. 7y
Eggs @Teakillamockingbird @kezzlou85 How fun😍😍 I do want to read more ST 7y
Zelma I adored this book when I was pre-teen/teenager. 7y
CarolynM Love Adrian 7y
86 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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nickimags
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I'm in a bit of book/blog slump, so I thought I'd try a bit of colouring whilst listening to this new recording of Adrian Mole. I think it doing the trick as the writing and narrator are brilliant, making me laugh out loud at Adrian's teenage angst.

Cathythoughts What a great idea 👍 7y
EvieBee Pretty! I‘m doing the same this afternoon! 7y
nickimags @EvieBee I haven't done any for ages and I really enjoyed it 😊 7y
nickimags @Cathythoughts It was very relaxing 😊 7y
12 likes1 stack add4 comments
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scaifea
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Panpan

A 13-year-old boy keeps a diary for 15 months.
Yoicks. I didn't care for this one at all. Not a likeable character in the entire thing, and two dogs get nonchalantly mistreated, to boot. Nopenopenope.

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batsy
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Cinfhen 🤘🏼😁definitely #SmellsLikeTeenSpirit 😂😂😂happy to have you along for another month 💕 8y
batsy @Cinfhen Had so much fun playing last month 💜 8y
MrsMalaprop Awwww Adrian ❤️❤️. 8y
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shawnmooney @Cinfhen @batsy Adrian Mole! ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
saresmoore This is hilarious! I hadn't heard of Adrian Mole. Great choice for the challenge! 8y
batsy @saresmoore Adrian Mole is the best! This one is a light, breezy, hilarious read. If you give it a go you're in for a treat 😉 8y
saresmoore I love treats! 🤗 8y
LauraBrook Thank you for reminding me that I still need to read this! 8y
LeahBergen GAH! I love Adrian Mole so much! @saresmoore @LauraBrook You must read him. 8y
36 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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BookishClaire
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Happy 50th birthday to Britain's favourite fictional former spotty teenager, Adrian Mole. Where does the time go?!

20 likes2 stack adds
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BookishClaire
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I'm so excited about this news! 🤓
That, libraries you can rent on AirBnB, and books to read if you hate your job: https://britlitblog.com/2017/02/24/today-in-brit-lit-news-24th-feb-2/

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Anitta
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#mostreread book of all times simply because I use it with my freshmen every October for the past 10 years or so. It's a required reading. I enjoy rediscovering it with every new group of students.
#feistyfeb
@RealLifeReading

LeahBergen I adore Adrian Mole. ❤❤❤ 8y
Anitta @LeahBergen he's adorably nerdy and clueless ♡ 8y
31 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Abailliekaras
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A classic. One of the funniest books I read as a teenager and probably still. (This is the same cover as my copy from years ago!)... It's of its time but captures teen angst so vividly; great observations, characters, heart & soul. A must-read. #photoadayNov16 #childprotagonists

TheLondonBookworm Hehe I had this copy! 8y
17 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Wilkie
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Pickpick

Adrian Mole is such a great character, a self proclaimed intellectual with sex on the brain. His entries over 2 years detail (among other things) his frustrations with his parents, his love for the beautiful and cruel Pandora and his development as a not so talented poet. With diary entries like '.....I was racked with sexuality but it wore off when I helped my father put manure on our rose bed', Adrian Mole is easy to love. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Trav I have fond memories of reading this when I was in primary school 18 years ago. It's a great book. 8y
Wilkie @Trav have you reread it as an adult? 8y
Trav Not as an adult no, but if I ever get my hands on a copy I definitely will. 8y
6 likes3 comments
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JDR
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Pickpick

If you're looking to fill the Georgia Nicholson-sized hole in your heart, look no further than 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4' by Sue Townsend. Adrian's daily diary offers readers a glimpse into his life as a child of a one-parent family, caretaker to an old-age pensioner, tortured poet, misunderstood intellectual and a young boy in love. Eighties references aside, Adrian Mole's painfully honest diary feels timeless. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️